Top 6 extreme toothache causes

• Abscessed Tooth
• A Cracked Tooth
• Tooth Decay or Cavity
• Wrong Brushing or Flossing
• Grinding your Teeth
• Hot and Cold Sensitivity

Feeling pain in your teeth or what we call toothache can be a result of many causes. We try here to list the top six reasons. You will notice that all listed reasons could be minimized or eliminated for a long time by just following the proper daily oral care routine and periodic visits to your dentist. Educate your self on the proper method of taking care of your teeth and gums and be aware and attentive to any growing or emerging issues in your mouth. Let’s dig a little bit deeper into the most common causes of toothaches.

Abscessed Tooth

An Abscessed tooth is a tooth that suffers from infection in the internal layer and around the root. If the root canal becomes infected it becomes really painful and you may need to have a root canal treatment or even tooth removal. The pain of Abscessed Tooth can reach the jaw, ears and neck if left untreated. It can also lead to bad breath. You may need treatment with antibiotics in case of severe infection as it may spread to other areas.

A Cracked, or Misaligned Tooth

A fracture can happen to a tooth for many reasons. Tooth cracks can sometime be hardly visible in plain x-rays but still cause pain. The dentist may need three dimensional X-rays in order to detect minute fractures or cracks. If you had a root canal treatment, it can also happen especially if you did not install a crown and can go unnoticed until it is really bad. Other types of incidents can also cause fractured tooth including hard food, sports or any kind of blunt force hitting your jaw or skull.

In some other cases a misaligned tooth that is causing pressure on its neighbors can cause pain. A wisdom tooth trying to penetrate the gums or not having enough space to grow can also cause pain. These issues need to be assessed by your dentist so you can get the proper recommended solution that may include braces or surgery.

Tooth Decay, Cavity, and bad Fillings

Early decay may cause pain with sweets, cold beverages or hard food. As decay eats into your tooth layers you will notice a cavity and the pain will increase. If the decay or damage reaches the core layer of a tooth you may have to run to the dentist as the pain will be unbearable to live with. It is better to tackle decay or cavity issues early as possible to avoid more serious consequences.

A tooth filling going bad can expose the inner layers of a tooth to bacteria leading to infection, inflammation, and pain. Fix it as soon as you can before it become a lost tooth case.

Wrong Brushing or flossing

Using a toothbrush with hard bristles or striking your gums too hard when brushing can result in inflamed, injured, or bleeding gums. The longer you use IMPROPER brushing or flossing methods the worse your pain will get. Consult your dentist on the proper method to brush or floss your teeth. Receding, inflamed, or irritated gums can cause various levels of pain. Using irrigators or water flossing machines at extreme water intensity setting can also cause damage and pain especially.

Grinding your Teeth

Having stressful life due to work or personal life issues? You could be grinding your teeth during your sleep as a result of stress and not knowing it, some people even grind their teeth during daytime. This can even cause severe headache when you wake up in the morning, pain in your neck or jaw not just your teeth.  If this is a problem you have, you are not alone. This problem affects millions of people across the world. In some cases, a mouth guard recommended by your dentist could be the solution. Grinding can lead to broken crowns or teeth filings. You need to solve the root cause which in many cases can be stress or anxiety that you are living with.

Hot and Cold Sensitivity

Your teeth enamel layer shelters your teeth from hot and cold food and beverages. If this layer gets eroded or becomes too thin or if you untreated cavities you will be sensitive to hot, cold food or beverages and eating or drinking can become a painful experience. Using whitening products or having a decaying tooth can lead to this type of pain. It can be a sign that one or more of your teeth are heading into trouble. One quick solution is using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. You can also consult your dentist on how to regain your enamel layer proper thickness and how to use whitening products safely.

How to prevent and treat toothache?

Your daily oral care routine can be your best defense against having toothache in the first place. However some toothaches maybe inevitable. Going to your dentist to address and treat emerging teeth or gum issues early on can save your teeth and your overall health. Delaying treatment is your worst enemy.

Also, using a sensitive teeth toothpaste, changing your toothbrush to soft or medium bristles toothbrush and making sure you brush your teeth in proper non damaging way can help protect you from developing conditions that lead to toothache. Exercise meditation and other stress relief techniques to stop your self from grinding your teeth at night. Plan for a balanced life style as much as possible which can be positively reflected on your health including teeth health.

If you experience fears about going to the dentist be open about discussing this subject with your dentist who can work with you to address these fears. Put the needed effort to live toothache free!